Squire W. Stark

     Squire W. was born on Monday, 18 August 1806 in Minisink Town, Orange County, New York. He was the son of Amos & Elizabeth [VanTassel] Stark. His birth may be the "8th". Squire was a millwright by trade. In 1816, he moved to Chemung County, New York with his parents. Squire married Elizabeth M. Beardslee, daughter of William Beardslee and Mary Wheeler, on 9 April 1834 in New York. Squire & Elizabeth had children: William H. [7/26/1835-5/16/1897][m. 12/24/1863 Mary E. Applegate], Thaddeus [9/22/1840-6/20/1920][m. 6/23/1867 Lydia Jane Van Wagoner] & Thomas Jeffrey [11/04/1847-8/20/1916][m. 9/30/1880 Elizabeth Morris]. In 1836, Squire & Elizabeth moved to Oakland County, Michigan with Elizabeth's brother. It was most likely her brother, James. Her brother John Wheeler already resided in Independence Township & her brother Jeffrey & possibly their father arrived a short time later. He first made his home in Independence Township. On 11 October 1840, Squire W. Stark purchased from the U.S. Government 40 acres in Oxford Township [SW 1/4 of NE 1/4 of section 29] & another 40 acres [NE 1/4 of SW 1/4 of Section 29]. He erected a log house & began clearing his land. This house was of superior order & was not put up in the manner that many log cabins were. He hewed all the timber & made all the logs fit nicely together & had a home that was snug and cozy and was a pattern of neatness.² The 1840 U.S. Federal Census enumerates at Oxford Township, Oakland County, Michigan, the family of [010001:00001].³ 1845, Squire was listed on the State of Michigan Census at Oxford Township, Oakland County, Michigan. Enumerated in this household were Squire W. Starks [20100:00100].
9 August 1850, Squire and his wife, Elizabeth, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census in Oxford Township. Enumerated in this household were Squire W. Stark [44 New York], Elizabeth [39 New Jersey], William H. [14 New York], Thadeus [9 Michigan] & Thomas J. [3 Michigan]. Their home was valued at $500.⁴ 25 July 1860, Squire and his wife, Elizabeth, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census in Oxford Township. Enumerated in this household were S. W. Starke [53 New York], Elizabeth M. [49 New Jersey], William H. [25 New York], Thad [19 Michigan], Thomas J. [13 Michigan], and laborer: Christian House [13 Canada]. He was a farmer with property valued at $3000 & personal property at $800.⁵ Squire departed this life on Tuesday, 15 February 1870 in Oxford Township at age 63 years, 5 months and 28 days.⁶ He was buried there in Oxford Township in the Oxford Township Cemetery. He was buried in what is called the old burying grounds. His wife & mother are buried next to him. The information on the Stark monument reads: Squire W. Stark - Born: Aug. 8, 1806 Died: Feb. 16, 1870 - Elizabeth M. His wife - Born: Feb. 13, 1811; Died: Nov. 30. 1890 - ELizabeth Wife of Amos - Born: 1769; Died: 1859.